Connection device

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection device between two microchannels or two millichannels of two fluid elements, comprising complementary means for holding the device in relation to at least one of the two fluid elements. The invention also relates to a microfluid or millifluid chip comprising a connection device between a microchannel or a millichannel of the chip and a microchannel or a millichannel of a fluid element. Finally, the invention relates to a connection device between two microchannels or two millichannels of two fluid elements, comprising complementary means for holding the device in relation to the two fluid elements.

Description

Description Title of the invention: CONNECTION DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of connection devices between two micro or milli-channels of two fluidic elements. The invention also relates to a fluidic element comprising such a device.

[0002] The fluidic elements compatible with the present invention comprise opening channels, thus defining inlets and / or outlets capable of receiving another fluidic element. This involves connecting two fluidic elements while maintaining an adequate flow between their respective channels. The flows relate to fluids which may concern liquids and / or gases.

[0003] The technical field of microfluidics or millifluidics involves the flow of liquids and / or gases in channels of micrometric or millimetric size. The dimension of the channels concerned by microfluidics is of the order of tens and hundreds of micrometers and by millifluidics of the order of millimeters. This channel size implies specific flow rules, in particular in the case of laminar flows where it is important not to disturb the flows. In addition, such a channel size may involve liquids available in small quantities, the loss of which in microfluidic devices (i.e. in dead volumes) must be limited.

[0004] In the above field, it is known to connect two fluidic elements by pressure, by forcing a first fluidic element into the second. For example, a tube is forced into an inlet of a microfluidic chip. In order to secure the connection, glue can be applied a priori or a posteriori to the tube / inlet assembly. However, this practice has several drawbacks, such as the risk of leakage, poor pressure resistance, the risk of partial or total clogging of the channels, and the release of contaminants from the glue into the flowing fluids.

[0005] Another strategy is to manufacture the fluidic device with a standard male or female connector already included in the design (screw thread, luer, etc.). Apart from the complexity of manufacturing this type of connector on the fluidic device itself, this represents a significant footprint, on the order of a centimeter, which can be problematic for the compactness of the device.

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a simple and secure connection device without using additional materials such as glue.

[0007] Thus the invention relates to a connection device between two micro-channels or two milli-channels of two fluidic elements comprising complementary holding means of the device with a dedicated external surface of one of the two fluidic elements. The implementation of complementary means between the device and an external surface of one of the two fluidic elements makes it possible to secure the connection between the two channels. The dedicated external surface for a fluidic element corresponds to its end surface intended to be connected to a second fluidic element. In addition, with such a device, the connection between two fluidic elements is easier to implement.

[0008] Advantageously, the connection device is arranged so that the connection between the micro-channels or milli-channels of the two fluidic elements is hermetic with respect to the external environment of these fluidic elements. Preferably, the connection device is arranged so that it prevents the penetration of solids, liquids and / or gases from outside the fluidic elements, via this connection, into one and / or the other of the micro-channels or milli-channels; and the leakage of solids, liquids and / or gases from one and / or the other of the micro-channels or milli-channels, via this connection, to the outside of the fluidic elements. This ensures, using this connection device, that no contaminant can enter the assembly of fluidic elements, that the assembly is sterile and that its handling can be carried out under sterile conditions and environments.Therefore, the assembly finds a particularly advantageous application in the fields of health, the pharmaceutical industry and biotechnology.

[0009] According to a characteristic of the invention, the complementary holding means comprise at least one continuous barbed connector located in a dedicated cavity of a fluidic element, said barbed connector bearing on the dedicated external surface of one of the two fluidic elements. The implementation of at least one continuous barbed connector ensures the sealing of the two connected fluidic elements. The device is thus present on an inlet or an outlet of a fluidic element directly concerned by the connection of the channels or the device is an external fluidic element ensuring the connection of two other fluidic elements. In addition, the barbed shape makes it easier to insert the fluidic element but also to prevent the fluid element from being easily removed, particularly in the event of pressure build-up. Finally, the barbed connector ensures sealing and pressure resistance.

[0010] According to another characteristic of the invention, the complementary holding means comprise at least two barbed connectors parallel to each other bearing on the dedicated external surface of one of the two fluidic elements. The implementation of two barbed connectors makes it possible to increase the resistance to leaks and tearing and also makes it possible to design a device comprising a discontinuous barbed connector.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device or a first fluidic element comprises at least one barbed connector in a cavity and a second fluidic element comprises the dedicated outer surface. The device can thus be integrated into a fluidic element or be a third element allowing the connection of the first two. The barbed connector according to the invention is thus arranged in a cavity of a fluidic element. The implementation of a barbed connector in a cavity minimizes the dead volume between the two fluidic elements. Thus, the device according to the invention allows for better compactness of the connection itself, compared for example to existing connection devices of the "luer", "luer lock" or even "luer slip" type. And, unlike certain existing devices which require the two fluidic elements to fit together, there is no change in the diameter of one of the fluidic elements.The fluidic element that cooperates with the device can in fact be a standard tube.

[0012] According to a feature of the invention, the fluidic element which carries at least the barbed connector comprises a more rigid material than the second fluidic element. According to embodiments, the second fluidic element comprises an elastomeric material and the dedicated surface of the cooperating fluidic element deforms when it is introduced into the cavity carrying at least one barbed connector.

[0013] According to a characteristic of the invention, at least one barbed connector comprises a substantially polygonal profile. A polygonal shape makes it possible to effectively constrain the pressure of the introduced fluidic element. This embodiment increases the sealing of the connection between the two fluidic elements.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one barbed connector comprises a substantially right triangular profile. This profile shape is the most suitable for maintaining the connection.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, one of the fluidic elements comprises a flexible tube or a semi-flexible tube or a rigid tube or a nozzle provided with a tip. These embodiments are the most common of the fluidic elements used.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, one of the fluidic elements comprises a microfluidic or millifluidic chip. The device integrates particularly well into an inlet or outlet of a fluidic chip.

[0017] According to a characteristic of the invention, the device further comprises an additional external holding system. The implementation of an additional holding system makes it possible to secure the connection over time, in particular when the fluidic elements are intended to remain connected.

[0018] The invention also relates to a microfluidic or millifluidic chip comprising a connection device between a microchannel or millichannel of the chip and a microchannel or millichannel of a fluidic element.

[0019] The invention also relates to a connection bridge between two micro-channels or two milli-channels of two fluidic elements comprising complementary means for holding the device with the two fluidic elements.

[0020] Of course, the various features, variants and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

[0021] In addition, various other characteristics of the invention emerge from the appended description given with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention and where:

[0022] [Fig.l] is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention,

[0023] [Fig.2] is a sectional view of another embodiment of a device according to the invention,

[0024] [Fig.3] is a sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention,

[0025] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a fluidic chip comprising three devices according to the invention,

[0026] [Fig.5] is a sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention, and

[0027] [Fig. 6] is a schematic sectional view of a detail of a device according to the invention.

[0028] It should be noted that in these figures the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references.

[0029] The invention aims to provide a simple and sealed connection device between two microchannels or two milli-channels of two fluidic elements. The fluids concerned are liquid, gaseous or even mixed.

[0030] For these purposes, a device according to the invention as illustrated in Figure 1 and designated as a whole by the reference 1 is used to connect two micro-channels or milli-channels 2 of the two fluidic elements 3a, 3b.

[0031] A fluidic element 3a, 3b compatible with the invention may be a flexible or semi-flexible tube, a rigid tube capable of directing a flow or a nozzle provided with a tip for the flow of a flow or a micro-fluidic or milli-fluidic chip intended for different functions relating to the flow of a flow or a bridge capable of connecting two fluidic elements. This list is not exhaustive as to the use of the device 1 according to the invention.

[0032] According to an embodiment illustrated in particular in Figure 1, the device 1 allows the connection between two channels 2a, 2b of respectively two fluidic elements 3a, 3b. For elements relating to microfluidics, the channels are micro-channels comprising a diameter of the order of a micrometer and for elements relating to millifluidics, the channels are milli-channels with a diameter of the order of a millimeter. Subsequently, the flow of the fluidic elements takes place in the Z direction.

[0033] In Figure 1, the first fluidic element 3a, for example a fluidic chip, carries the device 1 according to the invention and the second fluidic element 3b is, for example, a semi-rigid tube intended to be connected to an inlet of the fluidic chip 3a.

[0034] The fluidic element 3,3a which carries the barbed connector 10 may comprise various materials such as glass, plastic or composite materials or even metallic materials to name but a few examples. In addition, according to certain forms of production of the fluidic element 3,3a carrying the device 1, the barbed connector 10 may comprise materials different from those of the fluidic element 3,3a concerned.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the barbed connector 10 comprises a more rigid material than the fluidic element 3b with which the barbed connector 10 collaborates. The fluidic element 3b intended to engage with the barbed connector may in fact comprise a more elastic material such as an elastomer or a composite mixture more elastic than the material making up the barbed connector 10.

[0036] According to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the device 1 comprises a barbed connector 10 located in a cavity defining an inlet or an outlet of a fluidic chip 3a.

[0037] The inlet of the fluidic chip 3a and the tube 3b have a substantially cylindrical shape and comprise substantially a diameter of the same length. The tube 3b is intended to be introduced into the inlet of the fluidic chip 3a. Thus, the barbed connector 10 in the form of an excess thickness bears against the dedicated outer end surface of the tube 3b. The barbed connector 10 is a continuous excess thickness. Examples of embodiments of a barbed connector 10 are described below.

[0038] According to other embodiments, the device 1 is intended to connect two fluidic chips 3a, 3b, one of the chips 3b then comprises a dedicated part having substantially the shape of an emerging tube comprising a dedicated exterior surface capable of collaborating with a dedicated interior surface of the cavity defining an inlet or outlet of the other chip 3a.

[0039] Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the device 1 comprising three continuous and parallel barbed connectors 10.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device 1 comprises at least one continuous barbed connector 10 and may also comprise at least one other discontinuous barbed connector 10 parallel to the continuous barbed connector 10. Such a discontinuous barbed connector 10 is in the form of successive arcs, for example in three parts.

[0041] Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention, in particular intended for the connection between two flexible or semi-flexible or even rigid tubes 3b. For these purposes, the fluidic element 3a is a connection bridge which has substantially the shape of a hollow cylinder carrying two devices 1 according to the invention. Each device 1 is intended to be in with regard to a fluidic element 3b. Visible in Figure 4, the two devices 1 implemented are symmetrical with respect to the plane passing through the center of the first fluidic element 3a and normal to the direction Z of flow of the fluids. This embodiment is not limiting for the invention and the fluidic connection bridge 3a can carry two devices 1 of different shapes.

[0042] Figure 4 illustrates a fluidic chip comprising three devices 1 according to the invention. Each of the three visible inputs or outputs of the fluidic chip 3 is capable of being connected by means of a device 1 with another fluidic element 3b (not shown) in order to ensure continuity and guarantee the reliability of the flow between the different elements.

[0043] An additional external holding system is illustrated in Figure 5. This is, for example, an adhesive tape 20 arranged around the connection between the two fluidic elements 3a, 3b. Other additional holding systems can increase the security of the connection.

[0044] A barbed connector 10 compatible with the invention has a thickened shape on the interior surface of the cavity defining an inlet or an outlet of a fluidic element 3, 3a.

[0045] According to the embodiment, illustrated in figure 4, the barbed connectors 10 are continuous, that is to say that it has the shape of a continuous ring in excess of the inner surface of the inputs or outputs of the fluidic chip 3.

[0046] Figure 6 schematically illustrates the profile of a device 1 comprising several barbed connectors 10. This profile is of substantially triangular shape comprising a flat Lrim at its apex. A first angle P defines the profile of the barbed connector 10. This angle P is present on the side intended to receive the fluidic element 3b. The angle a is opposite the first angle p. The length h corresponds to the height of the barbed connector 10. The length b defines the spacing between two barbed connectors 10. The length r defines the internal radius of the inlet or outlet of the fluidic element 3a carrying the device 1 according to the invention, i.e. half the value of the diameter of said inlet or outlet.And the angle y defines a reduction angle between the direction formed by the successive ridges of the barbed connectors 10, in the case where the height h of each of the barbed connectors 10 increases, and the direction Z corresponding to the direction of insertion of the second fluidic element 3b.

[0047] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention comprising four barbed connectors 10 located on a fluidic element inlet 3a comprising a diameter of value between 1.48 and 1.58 mm. The angle a is between 60 and 90°. The angle P is between 135 and 140°. The height of each barbed connector is between 0.15 and 0.31 mm. These value ranges are compatible with the invention in this exemplary embodiment.

[0048] According to this embodiment, the angle y can vary between 0 and 7.78°. Preferably, the angle y is close to zero.

[0049] This embodiment is not limiting for the invention. Indeed, and in particular for the connection of two micro-channels of two fluidic elements, other quantities are compatible with the invention.

[0050] Of course, various other modifications may be made to the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (1) for connection between two micro-channels or two milli-channels (2, 2a, 2b) of two fluidic elements (3, 3a, 3b) comprising complementary holding means of the device (1) with a dedicated external surface of one of the two fluidic elements (3, 3b).

2. Connection device (1) according to the preceding claim in which the complementary holding means comprise at least one continuous barbed connector (10) located in a dedicated cavity of a fluidic element (3, 3a), said barbed connector (10) bearing on the dedicated external surface of one of the two fluidic elements (3b).

3. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims in which the complementary holding means comprise at least two barbed connectors (10) parallel to each other bearing on the dedicated external surface of one of the two fluidic elements (3b).

4. Connection device (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3 in which the first fluidic element (3, 3a) comprises at least one barbed connector (10) in a cavity and a second fluidic element (3b) comprises the dedicated exterior surface.

5. Connection device (1) according to the preceding claim in which the fluidic element (3, 3a) which carries at least the barbed connector (10) comprises a more rigid material than the second fluidic element (3a).

6. Connection device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5 in which at least one barbed connector (10) comprises a substantially polygonal profile.

7. Connection device (1) according to the preceding claim in which at least one barbed connector (10) comprises a substantially right triangular profile.

8. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims in which one of the fluidic elements (3, 3b) comprises a flexible tube or a semi-flexible tube or a rigid tube or a nozzle provided with a tip.

9. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims in which one of the fluidic elements (3, 3a, 3b) comprises a micro-fluidic or milli-fluidic chip.

10. Connection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims further comprising an additional external holding system (20).

11. Microfluidic or millifluidic chip (3, 3a) comprising a connection device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10 between a microchannel or millichannel of the chip and a microchannel or millichannel of a fluidic element.

12. Connection bridge (3,3a) between two micro-channels or two milli-channels (2b) of two fluidic elements (3b) comprising two devices (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, each device (1) is connected to one of the two fluidic elements (3b).

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